Academic success in physics and civil engineering with paricular regard to mathematical competence

[本项目的目的是模拟和确定与数学相关的建模和学生的其他不同组成部分之间的基本关系]在大学本科学习的入门阶段，成功学习物理和土木工程两门学科。物理学和土木工程特别适合比较，因为它们的课程在力学方面非常相似，但研究的目标是不同类型的数学化。数学模型在物理学中用来描述物理现象，而在工程中用来计算技术结构。根据解决问题时认知需求之间的假设差异，将开发一个模型来识别这些差异，并将学生的数学化能力与他们在大学头两年的学习成绩联系起来。数学建模将通过涵盖力学内容领域的与学科有关的(物理/工程)测试工具来实施。根据该模型，培养了学生的基本力学能力以及与物理或工程相关的数学建模能力。根据这项对物理和工程专业学生的测试结果和本建议中描述的变量，将调查独立于学科的数学建模能力与研究成功之间的关系。因此，成功是笔试、能力提高和继续学习的结果。此外，该模型还被用来分析关于这两个主题的讲座和练习，以寻找必要的改变的线索。在描述这些关系以提高学生在物理和土木工程方面的学习成绩的基础上，可以进行干预研究，以重组和优化相关研究。

[It is the aim of this project to model and identify basic relations between mathematics-related modelling and different other components of students¿ success in studying the two subjects physics and civil engineering, during the introductory phase of their Bachelor studies at university. Physics and civil engineering are particular suitable for a comparison because their curricula are extremely compatible regarding mechanics but the studies aim at different kinds of mathematization. Mathematical modelling is used in physics for describing physics phenomena whereas in engineering it is used for calculating technical constructions. On the basis of the assumed differences between the cognitive demands when solving problems, a model will be developed to identify those differences and to relate students¿ ability of mathematization to their success of studies during their first two years at university. Mathematical modelling will be operationalized by means of a subject-related (physics/engineering) test instrument covering the content area of mechanics. According to the model, students¿ basic competences of mechanics are addressed as well as their competences in mathematics modelling related to physics or engineering. Based on the results of this test with physics and engineering students and on the variables described in this proposal, the relations between the ability of subject-dependent mathematical modelling and success of the studies will be investigated. Therefore, success is operationalized as results of written exams, competence gains and continuance in studies. In addition, the model is utilized to analyse the lectures and exercises on these two subjects to find hints for necessary changes. Based on the description of these relations to increase students¿ success in studying physics and civil engineering, intervention studies can be performed to restructure and optimize the related studies.